Shipbuilding and maritime activities in Turkey - Statistics & Facts
Turkish maritime trade has a lengthy history, dating all the way back to the days when the country was one of the centers of the Mediterranean's marine trade in Ottoman times. Even now, Turkish maritime transportation is a vital sector for the country's economy, in average of 54 percent of all foreign trade passing through the country's numerous seaports. Turkey is a significant hub for global commerce and trade due to its location at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The Turkish maritime industry currently includes various activities, including shipping, shipbuilding, logistics, and maritime services. In 2023, some 60,200 ships stopped at Turkish ports, and around 521 million metric tons of cargo were transported to various domestic and international locations.
In 2023, exports of ships, boats, floating structures brought Turkish economy more than two billion U.S. dollars. That year, annual exports of cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo ships etc were valued at nearly 684 million U.S. dollars. Moreover, tugs and pusher crafts worth more than 416 million U.S. dollars were exported by Turkey.
Turkish ship recycling yards are located in Aliağa Port, which is an important hub for international trade. As of 2023, Aliağa Port of Turkey recycled 66 vessels. This figure was lower than the previous year’s shipbreaking volume due to local steel prices. Turkish companies are currently having difficulties selling recycled steel to the local steel mills due to the mill’s decreased production capacities as a result of spiking energy prices.
The Turkish maritime industry currently includes various activities, including shipping, shipbuilding, logistics, and maritime services. In 2023, some 60,200 ships stopped at Turkish ports, and around 521 million metric tons of cargo were transported to various domestic and international locations.
Turkish Shipbuilding Industry
Turkey's geographic location and modern infrastructures have contributed to the shipbuilding sector's constant growth in recent years. Shipyards in Turkey employed around 94,000 people in 2023 and delivered 9 ships that same year. In addition to newly built ships, shipyards were also responsible for approximately 41 million deadweight tons of repair and maintenance output that year. While new shipbuilding is declining in the country, the ship maintenance and repair sector has been growing steadily over the years.In 2023, exports of ships, boats, floating structures brought Turkish economy more than two billion U.S. dollars. That year, annual exports of cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo ships etc were valued at nearly 684 million U.S. dollars. Moreover, tugs and pusher crafts worth more than 416 million U.S. dollars were exported by Turkey.
Port of Aliağa - Center of Turkish Ship-breaking
After serving 25 to 30 years, vessels reach the end of their operational lives. Instead of abandoning end-of-life ships, recycling them is an environmentally and financially good option since the majority of the materials can be recovered and reused. However, vessel dismantling carries risks to human health and to the environment. Therefore, shipbreaking is globally regulated by the IMO Hong Kong Convention and the EU Ship Recycling Regulation. Nowadays, approximately 90 percent of global shipbreaking is done by Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China. However, Turkey is the only country that has companies on the European Union’s Green Ship Recycling List.Turkish ship recycling yards are located in Aliağa Port, which is an important hub for international trade. As of 2023, Aliağa Port of Turkey recycled 66 vessels. This figure was lower than the previous year’s shipbreaking volume due to local steel prices. Turkish companies are currently having difficulties selling recycled steel to the local steel mills due to the mill’s decreased production capacities as a result of spiking energy prices.
